Bringing Out Your Inner Photographer: simple steps to achieving better photos

Monday, February 1, 2010

Ok, I'm finally back for round 2 of my simple steps to achieving better photos. Sorry it's been 3 weeks or so but I didn't have a computer for 2 of those weeks. Plus my models have been unwilling to sit still lately for my lesson photos.

Lesson 2: Turn off that flash!

This is another easy step that makes a huge difference in photos. When I talk about flash I'm referring to that annoying burst of light that you get when you set your camera on auto...the built-in flash on point and shoots or the pop-up flash that you find on dSLRs. Now, I do understand that there will be times when a flash is indoor snapshots at night especially if you are using a p&s camera. Flash does have it's place but I urge you to shut it off whenever you have access to natural sunlight. I have seen people, on more than one occasion, who will close their blinds during the day so that they can take a photo using their flash. Why people...why?!!! Don't do that! It takes every ounce of my strength to contain myself and keep from leaping forward and tackling those offenders! It makes me sweat just thinking about it. Now of course you don't want harsh streams of light pouring over your subject so if thats the case move your subject to a different area where the lighting is more even.

Today I took a series of photos to show you the difference between a snapshot with a flash and a photo without it.

Exhibit A:
This is what I find when I look in most people's photo albums. A cute kid in the midst of surrounding "stuff" with that harsh flash lighting. Now you might look at this photo and think "Hey, that looks like my photos...what's wrong with that?"!! Well, honestly in this photo the flash isn't too terrible with exception of the red-eye effect but those toys in the background are a bit distracting.

To give you a better idea I did a close-up. Now if you didn't know any better you'd look at this photo and would think that it looked just fine. However, it's completely un-natural looking especially with those red pupils. You can read more about "red-eye" here. You can't even tell from looking at this photo that it was taken in a sun-filled room. It looks no different than it would if it was taken at night. Once you see the no flash comparison you'll see what I mean.

Exhibit B:
Aaahhhh, soooo much a breath of fresh air. This is a much better representation of what the eye actually sees. That's what a camera is for ya capture an image of what the eye sees. The eye sees it perfect and true and a camera tries to replicate that. The better your camera and the more you know how to use it the better your results will be. This was taken with my Sony Cybershot 7.2mp p&s. With a p&s you may get some extra noise (the graininess you sometimes see in photos) but by positioning your subject towards the light source (like a window) your camera will focus and expose easier and you'll get less noise.

Exhibit C:
Here is the same shot taken with my Nikon d90 and 35mm lens. Because I have more control over the settings with this type of camera it is easier for me to get the right exposure than with a p&s. However in this case the resulting images are very similar.

And just for fun I added a texture and then cloned out that baseboard to get a more uniform backdrop. Pretty cool huh?

I hope you all will make an effort to turn off those flashes this week. The results can be amazing! Happy Monday all!!


  1. I have a nikon D-80 and I try very hard not to use the flash but have trouble when I focus manuely. My outdoor photos are fine, it's just inside, because by the time I get eveything focused, my subject matter has changed or moved. I have been a'getting closer" and I can tell a difference in my photos, also I am using my 18-200 lens which gives me lots of choices. Thanks for these lessons and I appreciate the examples....I am a teacher, I like examples!

  2. i always have trouble getting crisp photos (aka not blurry) when i don't use the flash b/c in A mode, the camera wants to use a shutter speed that is either too slow for handheld or too slow for my moving toddler or both. maybe i just don't have enough light in my house for no flash? or the ISO is so high that it's super grainy. Anyhow, I'd love to take photos as beautiful and as crisp as yours. I can't get over how sharp your photos are. i just love it!

  3. mrs.c, why are you using manual focus? Put that thing in auto focus and let the camera do that work for you. Expose manually but use auto focus. There's no reason you should try to manually focus on a moving target. You'll end up completely frustrated.

    elizabeth, what type of camera are you shooting with? If you're using a dSLR then try shooting in manual where you select the SS, ISO, and aperture. For this photo these were my settings: SS 1/125, ISO 200, and aperture f2.2. I had plenty of light in my home and this is what worked for the situation.

  4. Great post, Hana. Have you ever seen food pictures with flash--it's really gross. lol

    I agree wholeheartedly about flash. The problem is my camera underesxposes, and I often get grainy pictures when I take them indoors. Grey day indoor photos: forget it! I think I need a better lens. How high does the ISO go on your lens?

  5. Hey Jessica! The lens definitely does make a difference. The two primes that I use will stop down to 1.8. I never use my zoom b/c it only goes down to 3.5 and often it's not enough for indoors. I'm really hoping to get a 50 1.4 as well b/c I've heard that its amazing.

  6. Hana,
    Thanks for answering my question! Your photos are you use photoshop? We have a new mac and I have Iphoto and aperture...any suggestions?

  7. Thanks for the awesome post, Hana. I rarely use my flash any more - once you see the difference it's hard to ignore how much better no-flash photos look. I have the same issue as an above poster - my indoor photos look grainy. I think my house doesn't get enough direct light. I usually park my kids near our front window and then they sometimes get washed out. Sigh. Oh well, I'm trying!

  8. Beautiful!! Out of curiosity what are your favorite lenses? I have a 50mm 1.4 and you are right, its amazing!! Im looking at getting another lens though because the 50mm limits me to what I can get in my shots, any recommendations? I have the Nikon d80

  9. Heather, I shoot everything with either my 50 1.8 or my 35 1.8. The 35 does great indoors b/c it's not as tight as the 50. I'm also looking at getting the 24-70 2.8 but it costs a good deal more than my camera and lenses together.

  10. You take beautiful pictures and I just love your tips! I have a nikon d40x and I can't wait to get to shooting. I would love to know some of your editing tips. They really make a difference in the photograph. I want to start changing some photos over to black and white for a wall grouping. Plus, I believe you said you added a navy blue layer on your last tip and that looked great and I would to try that also. So let us know! Gaye

  11. Awesome post! We are going to be in the mrket very soon for a new camera and was wondering what you would suggest?


  12. How do you add the texture? I finally got photoshop for Christmas but am learning slowly... there is so much to learn and hard to not get overwhelmed!

  13. Michelle, I guess it really depends on your budget for a camera. I have a Nikon d90 and I love it. The new Nikon d5000 is a step down and has been called the "Little Brother" to the d90. I know a couple of people who bought it and they are loving it. It costs less than the d90 but has a lot of the same features. Canon also makes great cameras as well. I suggest you visit your local Best Buy and play around with them to see which feels better to you. You can also compare reviews online. Do your research before you buy! Good luck!!!


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